What sound characteristic earned the domestic yak the name Bos grunniens given by Linnaeus?
Answer
Grunting throughout the year
The scientific epithet *grunniens*, assigned by Linnaeus in 1766, translates directly to "grunting bull." This name was bestowed because domestic yaks are known to exhibit a characteristic grunting vocalization consistently throughout the entire year. This continuous auditory presence contrasts with the observation of the wild form and reflects the animal's consistent proximity to human settlements, which influenced the original scientific labeling.
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